If you have started looking into straightening your teeth without brackets and wires, you have probably noticed that “clear aligners” is not one single product. There are several systems on the market, and most orthodontic offices work with just one of them.
At Marcel Method Orthodontic Specialists, we offer three: Invisalign, Spark, and SureSmile. That means the conversation at your first visit is not about whether you fit the one system we happen to carry. It is about which system fits you.
Here is a look at what makes each one different, and how we decide which belongs in your treatment plan.
Why We Offer More Than One System
Every clear aligner works on the same basic principle. A series of custom trays applies gentle, controlled pressure to move your teeth a small amount at a time, and you progress through the series until your smile reaches its planned position.
Where the systems differ is in the material the trays are made from, how they are trimmed, and the software behind the treatment plan. Those differences are small on paper, but they can matter quite a bit depending on what your case actually requires.
Some cases call for a system with a long track record of handling complex movements. Others benefit from a tray that sits differently against the gumline. Carrying all three means we can match the tool to the case rather than the other way around.
Invisalign: The Most Established System
Invisalign has been in use the longest and has the largest treated-case history behind it, which gives the planning software a deep well of data to draw from when mapping out tooth movement.
The trays are made from a material designed to apply steady, gentle force between appointments. For cases that need more control, small tooth-colored attachments can be bonded to certain teeth, giving the aligner something to grip so it can perform movements that would otherwise be difficult without brackets.
There is also Invisalign First, designed for children whose smiles are still developing. It can be used to guide dental development before all of the permanent teeth have arrived, which is not something every aligner system is built to handle.
Dr. Marcel and Dr. Faldu are in the top 1% of Invisalign providers, so this is a system we know extremely well.
Spark: A Different Approach to Fit and Clarity
Spark aligners use a material called TruGEN, and the trays are trimmed along a scalloped line that follows the natural contour of your gums rather than cutting straight across.
The manufacturer designs the material with clarity and stain resistance in mind, which is a common concern for patients who drink coffee or tea daily. Spark also advertises a greater surface contact area with each tooth, which is intended to give the aligner more grip during tooth movement.
Whether those design differences matter for your case depends entirely on your case. For some patients they are a meaningful advantage, and for others the difference is negligible. That is the kind of thing we can tell you after we see your scan.
SureSmile: One Planning System Across Treatments
SureSmile is worth understanding for a reason that has nothing to do with the aligners themselves.
We already use SureSmile custom archwires with traditional braces, which means SureSmile aligners live inside a planning environment our team uses every day. If a treatment plan ever needs to shift between approaches, that continuity can make the transition smoother.
The aligners themselves use digital planning to sequence tooth movement, with the trays produced to match the plan built from your scan.
The Same Starting Point in Livermore, Pleasanton, & Tracy
Whichever system ends up in your plan, the process of getting there looks the same.
We start with a digital scan using our iTero scanner, which captures detailed images of your teeth and bite in a few minutes. No impression trays, no goopy material. Those digital records become the foundation of your treatment plan, and you will have the chance to preview your projected result before your first aligner is ever delivered.
From there, Dr. Marcel and Dr. Faldu review what your case requires: how far your teeth need to travel, which movements are involved, whether attachments are likely, and how your bite factors in. The system recommendation comes out of that review.
Throughout treatment, DentalMonitoring lets us check your progress virtually between in-person visits, which is a genuine convenience if you are balancing appointments with work or school in Pleasanton or Tracy.
When Aligners Are Not the Right Answer
We should be straightforward about this: clear aligners are an excellent option for a lot of people, but they are not the right tool for every case.
Certain complex bite corrections and larger tooth movements are handled more predictably with brackets and wires. If your case falls into that category, we will tell you. For patients who want a lower-profile option but need the mechanics of braces, clear braces offer a middle path worth considering.
The goal is a healthy, stable result, and the honest recommendation is always the one that gets you there.
Find Out Which System Fits Your Smile
The only way to know which clear aligner system suits your case is to have your smile evaluated. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Marcel and Dr. Faldu and we will walk you through your options together.
FAQs
Do Dr. Marcel and Dr. Faldu offer more than one clear aligner system?
Yes. Marcel Method Orthodontic Specialists offers Invisalign, Spark, and SureSmile aligners. Many practices carry only one system, so having three available allows Dr. Marcel and Dr. Faldu to recommend the option best suited to your case rather than the only one on hand.
What is the difference between Invisalign and Spark aligners?
Both move teeth using a series of custom trays, but they use different materials and trim lines. Invisalign has the longest track record and the largest treated-case history behind its planning software. Spark uses TruGEN material with a scalloped gumline trim and is designed with clarity and stain resistance in mind. Which one suits you depends on the movements your case requires.
Can I choose which clear aligner system I get?
Your preferences matter and we will always listen to them, but the recommendation is a clinical one. Dr. Marcel and Dr. Faldu evaluate your teeth, bite, and the movements your treatment plan requires, then recommend the system best suited to achieving a healthy, stable result.
Is Invisalign First the same as regular Invisalign?
Invisalign First is designed specifically for growing smiles, at a stage when some permanent teeth may not have come in yet. It can help guide dental development during those years. Early treatment is not right for every child, so an evaluation is the first step.
Do all three aligner systems start with the same scanning process?
Yes. Regardless of which system is recommended, treatment begins with a digital scan using our iTero scanner. The scan takes a few minutes, requires no impression material, and creates the digital records used to build your treatment plan.